"I've never put on a show this big or felt more like a rock star than I did while rehearsing for this tour," she says. "I've never been more sure of myself as an artist in my entire career. This show represents exactly what kind of artist I am."

It has been a winding couple of years for Lovato, who served as a mentor on the recently canceled "X Factor" in 2012 and 2013. In that time, she also released two of her most commercially successful singles, "Give Your Heart a Break" and "Heart Attack," which expanded on her pop/rock sound. She also popped up as a recurring character on "Glee" and will release a memoir later this year.

The Neon Lights Tour teams her with some old friends. "X Factor" girl group Fifth Harmony, who was mentored by Simon Cowell and performed with Lovato on the show, is one of the openers. Nick Jonas is the show's musical and creative director.

During a recent chat, Lovato talked her history as a pageant queen, new music and makeup-remover wipes.

Q: You're a Texas girl. Any specific memories tied to Houston?

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A: I used to do beauty pageants in Houston every summer. I would actually go to compete there. I have a lot of amazing, really fond memories of Houston. I won some of the years! I've had a really incredible time in Houston overall with pageants and Rodeo(Houston).

Q: What are some must-haves for you on the road?

A: I really have to have my iPad or laptop. I have to have vitamins and things that are going keep me healthy. A lot of makeup-remover wipes. Simple toiletries that you take for granted - until you're in a city, and you don't have them.

Q: Go-to music to get motivated before a show?

A: It really just depends on the day. When I'm in Texas, I will play country music. A lot of times, hip-hop music gets me cranked up. A lot of rock music as well.

Q: You're all over radio with "Neon Lights" and "Let it Go" from the animated film "Frozen." What was special about the icy power ballad?

A: I didn't have a super-deep connection with it. You don't always do when you record music. Honestly, they asked me if I wanted to put my vocals on a song for the movie. I heard the song, and I liked it. I knew I could do a great job on it. Now, with all the experience, it means a lot to me because I love the movie.

Q: You recently tweeted about "recording an incredible song." What can you spill about new music?

A: My new sound is going back toward my pop/rock influences that I had when I was growing up, listening to the music that really got me inspired to play guitar and just rock out onstage. That's kind of the direction I'm going toward on this next album. That's basically what I feel like I was supposed to do with music. I've experimented with different types of music, but ultimately this is now I feel like where I'm supposed to be. I'm excited to dive in.

Q: Your fans seem to have deep connections with so many of your songs, even the nonsingles. Is there one you feel deserved a bigger audience?

A: I think "Nightingale" is the song right now for me that I wish I could release as a single. I don't know if it has single potential, just because hearing ballads like that - you listen to the radio, and it's all about club tracks and partying. But it is one of the most important tracks to me that I've ever recorded.